Snail of Approval Award Recipients
SNAIL OF APPROVAL
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Congratulations to the 2025 Snail of Approval awardees!
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Thank you for embracing Slow Food values in your businesses every single day. We are happy to celebrate your commitment to universal access to food that is good for eaters, good for those who grow/raise it, and good for the planet.
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WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER AND EXPANDING OUR MISSION OF GOOD, CLEAN, AND FAIR FOOD FOR ALL!
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Denver Snail of Approval Recipients
Annette
Caroline Glover founded Annette in the fall of 2016. She created Annette for three simple reasons: to serve dinners as though they were guests in her home, to make a place where people can share food — and tell stories — they’ll remember, and to prepare “scratch-to-table” and wood-fired fare that honors food producers, nourishes eaters and embodied craftsmanship, creativity and rustic simplicity.
Bibamba
Bibamba is a Denver-based company specializing in artisanal chocolates. They source their cacao beans directly from their own sustainable farm in Cameroon, ensuring ethical practices and high-quality products. Committed to community and local support, the business not only sells direct to Denver customers and businesses, but also offers direct support to their farm employees.
Bruto
The Brutø menu is centered around core ingredients, curated thoughtfully and carefully in a way that encourages little to no waste between their tasting counter and their bar program. BRUTØ offers the rare opportunity to witness every step in the culinary process up close. The restaurant beautifully cultivates an intimate dining expereince with both their outstanding team and the incredible food they create from intentionally sourced ingredients.
Cappello's
Cappello’s is a provider of gluten free prodcuts ranging from frozen pizza to cookie dough. The business champions the humble almond and helped to found The Almond Project in their effort to promote regenerative farming within the industry. Headquartered in Arvada, the company has a local presence, but provides both delicious and intentional grain-free foods on a national level.
Chook
This delightful neighborhood eatery serves mouthwatering Australian-style roasted chicken. What sets them apart is their prestigious B Corp certification, a challenging accomplishment. We adore not only their responsibly sourced chicken but also their array of Colorado-sourced, veggie- centric sides like celery-apple slaw and smashed cucumbers. Their sides alone are worth a visit!
Convivio Cafe
This incredibly unique cafe is a beautiful addition to the West side of Denver as it offers a bilingual experience for everyone in addition to incredibly intentional sourcing. The two women behind this concept bring coffee and tea from Guatemala to Denver and pair it with locally sourced foods. Furthermore, the team has created a space that warmly welcomes everyone and offers a place to gather as a nonprofit, an artisan market, language exchange, and more.
Coperta
Seasonal vegetables and the freshest fish and shellfish feature prominently in Coperta cuisine, as well as meat and game from local, responsible sources. It is a simple cuisine of sustenance, using only what the earth and sea can seasonally provide–nothing more and nothing less. They proudly work with Colorado’s best farmers and ranchers to bring the highest quality Southern Italian experience to Denver.
Denver Bone Broth
Bone Broth is considered a super food by many, but this local brand makes it extra "super" by utilizing sustainably sourced ingredients that are often regional and regenerative. This young business is one to watch as it continues to grow and supply Denverites with this nutrient dense offering. Find them at farmers markets and local shops like Leevers Locavore.
EKAR Farm
Ekar Farm is a Denver based Jewish community farm, dedicated to connecting people with the earth and each other. They grow sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, donating approximately 20,000 pounds annually to local food access organizations. Ekar also offers educational programs on ecology, nutrition, and urban farming, fostering community engagement and promoting environmental stewardship.
The Feedery At Grow + Gather
Grow + Gather is an urban farm, restaurant, market, coffee shop and event venue, producing fresh vegetables, artisanal goods and food-centric experiences for the local community. As big fans of the local food movement, they set out to make it better by uniting the farm and table under one roof. The ingredients are fresher, flavors are bolder and the connection to the food and our community is more local than ever.
Fleischer Family Farm
This local farm not only occupies a neighborhood spot at the end of a city block, but also a special spot in the hearts of everyone in their community, including ours. The family run farm operates a weekly farm stand and local CSA to increase access to fresh food. Additionally, fleischer offers classes and workshops to educate the community on growing methods, preserving skills, and more. This merely scratches the surface of the work they’re doing!
Gladys
Nestled in the Edgewater Public Market, this hidden gem dazzles with its upscale, veggie-centric cuisine. Chefs Dave and Rocky employ their artistic flair to continuously craft new dishes that showcase Colorado’s seasonal vegetables, as regulars passionately request menu items be retained due to their exceptional taste. Moreover, the restaurant demonstrates environmental consciousness by eschewing plastic wrap and prioritizing composting, even when inconvenient.
The Green Collective - Highlands Ranch
The Green Collective Eatery may be a fast-casual style restaurant, but their approach to food is anything but that. Everything from their juice jar return program to their support for other local, small businesses is incredibly intentional. They embody the words that adorn their wall, “let food be thy medicine,” beyond just physical health. They help to foster a healthy relationship with the world around them in countless ways.
The Green Collective - Wash Park
The Green Collective Eatery may be a fast-casual style restaurant, but their approach to food is anything but that. Everything from their juice jar return program to their support for other local, small businesses is incredibly intentional. They embody the words that adorn their wall, “let food be thy medicine,” beyond just physical health. They help to foster a healthy relationship with the world around them in countless ways.
Grow Local Colorado
Grow Local Colorado serves as the community as a source of fresh food for underserved communities as it donates all produce to food banks, soup kitchens, schools, and shelters. Furthermore, they utilize sustainable practices in all of their gardens and offer volunteer opportunities to engage and teach the community. Keep an eye out for their frequent volunteer days, annual fruit gleaning event, seed swaps, and more!
Haykin Family Cider
This beautiful cidery infuses each of its ciders with the passion that seeps from owners Talia and Daniel whenever they are given the opportunity to speak on cider, Colorado apples, and their community. They are not only raising the bar on cider to a new level that can perhaps only be called an art, but they are also setting new standards for environmental impact, community involvement, and thoughtful sourcing.
Healthy by Design
Healthy By Design is a local producer of pickled and fermented veggies. They do an incredible job of sourcing local, organic ingredients from Denver and Boudler area farms to create flavorful jars of healthy goodness! This awardee is shared with Boulder as a Snail of Approval with both chapters.
Healthy Harvest
We are a small family business seeking to improve our planet and our community by offering certified-organic foods and products that are sustainably made and naturally promote optimum health and wellness. We believe nature provides us with everything we need to look and feel our best.
Hey Kiddo
Hey Kiddo is where natural curiosity meets bold spirit; invention meets comfort and quality. The kitchen and bar are built responsibly, with kindness and people in mind. There is a place for everyone. If you are looking for a good + fun dinner service Hey Kiddo is the spot. If you are looking for a cocktail experience with hand rolls, OK Yeah is the place.
Horizon Verjus
Horizon Verjus produces verjus—a non-alcoholic, high-acid juice made from unripe wine grapes—as a sustainable alternative to citrus or vinegar in cooking and beverages. By sourcing unripe Colorado grapes that would otherwise go to waste, they reduce food waste and support local vineyards. Horizon Verjus collaborates with Colorado wineries, such as The Ordinary Fellow in Palisade, to create their products.
Little House of Tempeh
This farmer’s market institution has quickly become our favorite source of local tempeh. Their efforts to source intentionally, organically, and local when possible is just one reason they’ve recived our award. The family-run business strives to reduce waste, limit environmental impact, and do good in the community at every turn.
Moon Raccoon
Moon Raccoon Baking Co. is a woman-owned microbakery in Denver known for its seasonal pastries, inventive flavor combinations, and playful aesthetic. Each bake is made with care, using local ingredients and a commitment to sustainability. From pop-up markets to custom orders, Moon Raccoon brings a little bit of magic to every bite.
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Mountain Crust
Mountain Crust Pizza is a Colorado-based catering service known for its wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, and seasonal appetizers, all served from their custom trucks. Demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability, they operate as a zero-waste company and have partnered with local nonprofits to launch the Field to Fork Dinner Series. This initiative donates 50% of its profits to support organizations targeting important topics such as sustainability and food waste.
Odell's Bagel
Odell's Bagel is a small-batch bagel company in Denver serving up hand-rolled, naturally leavened bagels with a crisp crust and chewy center. With a focus on quality ingredients and traditional techniques, each bagel is boiled and baked to perfection. Odell Bagels pops up at local markets and events, offering a rotating selection of classic and creative flavors that celebrate Colorado’s food community. They also have a bagel shop on 32nd in Highlands Square.
Little House of Tempeh
Potager means kitchen garden. The unifying theme is that of being immensely satisfying, locally sourced and seasonally driven. Potager draws upon the season and what is grown locally.
Restaurant Olivia
This establishment is quickly becoming an important culinary destination in Denver, known for its creative, Italian menu and commitment to sustainable practices. Their intentions sourcing is truly impressive and takes this important value to a new level.
Rioja
This upscale restaurant sets the bar high when it comes to sourcing. They can list off the numerous vendors and local producers they feature in their Mediterranean menu without a second thought, which speaks to their values and the effort that goes into building a seasonal, creative menu. We recommend visiting their beautiful copper-topped bar or intimate booths to enjoy a glass of Spanish wine and some flavorsome, inspired menu.
Rootstalk
Rootstock is a standout restaurant known for its commitment to local sourcing, working closely with nearby farmers and producers to offer a menu that reflects the region’s seasonal bounty. Their dedication to sustainability is matched by a deep investment in their staff, creating a supportive and empowering work environment. With every dish, Rootstock showcases the richness of local ingredients and the strength of a values-driven team.
Ruby's Market
Ruby’s Marketplace takes you on a cultural journey. It invites you into a space filled with artisanal and local food as well as art and crafts from around the world. It invites you to indulge in beautiful offerings, but also to learn the stories of the many creators whose works are quartered in this quaint, home-style shop. Many of these creators are refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs breaking into the local economy. An integral part of the market is Ruby’s Pantry which collects and distributes culturally appropriate welcome boxes of food to immigrant families as they arrive in our community.
Same Cafe
SAME Café (So All May Eat) is a nonprofit, donation-based restaurant in Denver that builds community through healthy food access for everyone, regardless of ability to pay. With a rotating seasonal menu made from mostly local and organic ingredients, SAME creates a dignified, welcoming space for all. Guests are invited to contribute what they can or volunteer in exchange for a meal, fostering equity and connection through shared nourishment.
Sfoglina
This Denver-based pasta company seamlessly blends the artistry of homemade pasta with the flavors of seasonal ingredients. The result is a unique local business with Italian roots, firmly established in the heart of Colorado. Sfoglina places a strong emphasis on utilizing local and heritage ingredients, refusing to compromise on taste. While they don’t operate from a physical location, you can find their pasta offerings at various farmers markets and local grocery stores. One standout feature of this small business is their Pasta Club – a monthly subscription service that delivers inventive, seasonally-inspired pastas right to your doorstep.
Somebody People
As a vegetable-forward dining experience, Somebody People celebrates the local seasons, embraces the whole vegetable, and provides an entertaining service in a fun-filled environment, whilst minimizing waste along the way. At the end of each week, Somebody Pople hosts 'Sunday Supper' where all of the produce in house is cooked up. The Sunday Supper is the only menu available, minimizing food waste.
Sullivan Scrap Kitchen
Sullivan Scrap Kitchen is a casual eatery with a focus on reducing food waste. Their mission is to utilize and promote sustainability in food practices, community partnerships, and employees.
Teatulia
If you’ve been looking for an upstanding tea company to support, look no further. This Denver based business has created a truly wonderful business that begins at its fully regenerative, organic tea farms in Bangladesh where locals are employed at an above average pay. Employees are also given access to healthcare clinics, computer literacy courses, and a cattle lending program. Teatulia does more than provide high quality tea, it strives to create a closed circle that benefits humans and the planet alike.
Tom's Seafood
This Lakewood market is bringing a taste of the ocean to Denver with its stock of sustainable seafood and local products. Tom's shows Denver residents the right way to consume products from across the country and sometimes world as it prioritizes business values and production methods from its purveyors.
Wolf's Tailor
Experience an innovative, multi-course tasting journey at the Wolf’s Tailor, blending seasonal highlights: fresh garden produce in warmer months and inventive local grains and fermentation in cooler seasons. Embracing a zero-waste ethos, their ambitious culinary and beverage choices showcase skillful techniques and compelling narratives drawn from their team’s diverse journeys and influences. Awarded 1 star and 1 green star by the Michelin Guide in 2023.